eQTL Interactions in Lupus Patients

The purpose of this study is to discover in vivo cytokine expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) interactions from a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. 157 lupus patients were enrolled in a clinical trial to test the efficacy and safety of an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody. At three time points, we measured interferon (IFN) status, anti-IL-6 drug exposure and genome-wide gen expression. We identified 4,818 cis-eQTLs and then observed a statistically significant enrichment of in vivo eQTL interactions with IFN status and anti-IL-6 exposure.]]> Eligible patients were aged 18-75 years, had a clinical diagnosis of SLE according to American College of Rheumatology criteria, were serologically positive based upon current or historical positive test results for antinuclear antibodies (ANA, human epithelial type 2; titre ≥1:80) and/or anti-dsDNA antibodies (>120 IU/L), and had active disease (SLEDAI-2K score of ≥6 and British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) 2004 A disease in ≥1 organ system or BILAG B disease in ≥2 organ systems if no level A disease activity was present).]]>